THE CARNATION - a challenging multi-family residential project which is thought to enhance living quality in urban neighborhoods with respect to history and culture of the city. The major consideration is the neighborhood context while creating spaces for dialogue, cooperation and face-to-face contact. This project breaks the monotonous street view of the circuit house road. Client (EHL) requirement was a 4 unit dwelling apartment complex in the rectilinear plot. Being reputed for environment-responsive architectural practice in Bangladesh STHAPOTIK took this project with high importance.

The ongoing modernization evident in the urban appearance of Dhaka is significantly transforming the quality and quantity of social space. Lack of social interaction space has become an alarming issue for the urban Dhaka. The target of this project was to deepen the social interaction of the community through interconnected common spaces & circulation in different levels. The characteristics of traditional urban dwellings were analyzed from the old historical part of the city that is rare in today’s apartment complex . The internal open courtyard of this project demonstrates the concept of traditional outdoor spaces in a culturally, economically and environmentally responsive way, thus ensuring sustainability of the apartment housing while improving the quality of life of the inhabitants.

The target of this project ‘THE CARNATION’ is, therefore, to add a solution in this vast urban crisis of social interaction. Social interactions considered as an important aspect of designing this multiple family residential complex which is positively influenced by the physical design. Ideally, the closer people are brought to each other, the greater the chance of social interaction. Hence the design process is shaped by three major considerations. Firstly, to create the opportunity of direct contact among the residents; secondly, to create the opportunity of passive interaction between the residents and surrounding community; and thirdly, to ensure the availability of appropriate space for interaction.

The first way of making contact in a community is through passive interactions with neighbors which is considered as utmost priority in this project. The old part of Dhaka city contains a special quality of space called ‘extended veranda’ placed in front of every residence. This space basically works as a social interaction space between residents and passersby to heighten the social bondage for the community. Designing an urban pocket space before entering the building reflects the ‘extended veranda’ concept from the old historic core of Dhaka. This urban pocket provides a breathing space for the community and a visual refreshment for the passersby. Long narrow busy vehicular street (7.62 meter) which starts from Bir Uttam Samsul Alam road (Kakrail) and ends at the captain Munsur Ali Avenue (Baily Road) has a very tiresome street view. This space is conceived as a visual relief from the long monotonous street view. The landscape in front of the building serves the community as a break out space. Separate entries for pedestrian and vehicular are designed, so that the residents don’t have to cross the motorway.

To enhance the active contacts among the residents, this multifamily apartment comprises an internal open courtyard. The internal open courtyard enhancing the social, cultural and environmental factors, creates a healthy environment for the community people. This courtyard, as an open space within a cluster or urban fabric, fulfills various functions -i.e. social, leisure and microclimate. Surrounded by landscape paving, with water bodies, various plants, shade and light, played an important role in social and working life of the community. This space works as healing element within the building footprint, along with opening at the end of façade to allow natural light to filter through to the public and private areas. Shade, water, trees and wind, pavement can induce positive effects towards the five senses of the human body, providing the possible highest level of thermal comfort. This space helps to gain a good sense of control and privacy from the public zone towards the semi-public zone and playing as a microclimate modifier to the environment. Increasing airflow rate into the apartment is suitable for the warm humid climates. The microclimate condition has been improved through naturally ventilated high volume residential complex with internal courtyards.

Privacy solution for each space has been solved technically in the project. Sliding louver installed in the front façade working as solar shading panel and the privacy concern at a time. It offers a versatile and practical solution to managing solar radiation and aiding. There is privacy screen used in front of the living room playing two role ensuring aesthetic value & visual privacy from the semi-public circulation (lift-lobby space).

A very lively circulation which invites visitors with a flow of different scale of spaces and stories sequentially. Circulation of this project flows in different parts. It’s thought of not just a circulation but as a picturesque bioscope within ‘space between the spaces’ concept which having a connective function. Horizontal circulation flows into two parts. The formal circulation kept as minimum as possible to ensure the quick journey to the passersby. The informal one elaborating the journey a little more with the features of internal open court yard. The design idea of the vertical circulation is to become a compulsive space for the user group to give a pause of their regular journey. Vertical circulation placed at the adjacent part of the court which created the visual connection between the court and the floor levels.

In tropical climate, water is considered as a celebrating element as well as a healing element. Designed water body in front of the project serving a soothing visual expression to the passersby. Interior water court provided in the ground floor working as a thermal insulator. Another water body is placed in the central courtyard adding more value to the microclimate. Natural ventilation and natural lighting of vertical circulation & flanking lobby space further improve the energy efficiency of the project.

Regarding building material, the external façade of the building is made of exposed handmade brickwork and as-cast concrete without any plaster. Cotta-stone & tiles are used as floor finish material and plaster-painted. In some places (reception) gypsum board are used as ceiling. Glass and aluminum panel are used in Interior and exterior partition. Glass, I –Joist, MS rail, wood are used in railing of this project.